20 October 2009
Blow to anti-social gang in Radford
AN 18-year-old man has been banned from an area of Coventry for being the ring-leader of an anti-social gang which terrorised residents.
Connor McClusker and his mum Elizabeth, who lived together at Fowler Road, Radford, have both been served injunctions at Coventry County Court following an application by Whitefriars Housing Group.
The injunctions mean that Mr McClusker has been excluded from being within one mile of Fowler Road.
This case follows months of problems for the McClusker’s neighbours, including verbal abuse, anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, and intimidation by the gang.
Connor McClusker led the 30-plus member gang to intimidate residents in the street and threatened residents with violence if they complained about him.
Since January 2009 members of the gang threatened residents with baseball bats, smashed windows, and racially abused people. One incident included members of the gang supergluing a disabled man’s door shut so he was unable to get inside his own home.
Elizabeth McClusker received an injunction for ‘turning a blind eye’ to her son’s behaviour and allowing her home to be used for illegal activity. She has been prevented from allowing anti-social behaviour from occurring in the locality and to prevent her home being used for illegal or immoral purposes.
Gail Cooper, manager of the anti-social behaviour team at Whitefriars, said: “We would like to thank all the residents who have helped us secure this result. It demonstrates the strength of the residents’ commitment to working with Whitefriars and other community partners to promoting a safe community.
“We take anti-social behaviour seriously and will not allow the actions of one or two individuals to have a negative impact on other residents’ quality of life. This case demonstrates commitment between Whitefriars and our partners to preserve the right of residents to enjoy their homes in peace.”
Inspector Stuart Bell, of Little Park Street Police Station, said: “Obtaining these injunctions evidences the multi-agency commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour within our communities.
“Whitefriars Housing Group and the North West Neighbourhood Policing Team have worked in partnership to provide an effective and timely response to a problem family that blighted the lives of law-abiding residents in Radford. The Court's decision sends a strong message to those who engage in disruptive, anti-social and criminal behaviour that the police and their partners will not tolerate individuals and families who blight the lives of others.”
Whitefriars Housing Group residents affected by anti-social behaviour should call Whitefriars on 024 7649 6747.
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Notes to Editors
Whitefriars Housing Group Limited is a not-for-profit housing and regeneration organisation established in 2000 that owns and manages approximately 18,000 homes across Coventry.
Whitefriars Housing Group is part of West Mercia Housing Group (WMHG), which is the lead partner of Spectrum Development Partnership. WMHG consists of Whitefriars Housing Group, Harden Housing Association, Nexus Housing, Kemble Housing and Herefordshire Supported Housing for Young People Project. The new combined group, which is a development partner with the Homes and Communities Agency, manages around 23,500 homes across Coventry, the West Midlands, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Whitefriars has a key role, in partnership with others, across the West Midlands to develop new affordable homes and regenerate communities.
Since transfer, Whitefriars has spent £340 million to repair and improve its housing stock. The vast majority of its homes now meet the Government’s Decent Homes Standard –ahead of schedule. It is currently embarking on a campaign, Services on the Up, aimed at improving the core services received by residents.
In addition to providing homes, Whitefriars works in partnership with communities and other agencies to provide training and employment opportunities and support services for local residents, with the aim of building sustainable communities.
Whitefriars Housing Group Limited is a charitable industrial and provident society.
For further information please contact Val Hunt or Nikki Cheung at The Bridge Group on
024 7656 0440 or v.hunt@bridge-group.co.uk